Wednesday, November 14, 2007

DNF: Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife, Linda Berdoll

I've been meaning to read Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife forever -- I mean, what Pride and Prejudice fan wouldn't want to see a little bit of Elizabeth and Darcy's HEA? And it seems to be among the more popular P&P sequels. But, I have to say, it didn't do much for me. It seemed like it was all about sex. Really, all about sex -- that title is meant in the literal way (at it like rabbits they are). And as titillating as it is to hear about Darcy's enormous member, it got old really quick.

The writing seemed overly complicated just for the sake of being complicated, if that makes any sense. The constant use of "howbeit" and "compleatly" about drove me mad. I didn't see any new character development, and what new plot lines were introduced didn't interest me all that much. I made it through 100 pages and decided that was enough for me.

But this book did spark a heated debate between Twin and me. I was saying that if Jane Austen had lived today, she probably would have written sex scenes in her books. Twin thinks Austen would be too high class or something. Sheesh. I'm not saying she'd be writing erotica, but I don't think Austen would be at all prudish. Who agrees with me? :)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi, I stumbled on your blog while looking up hanging rock, nc. My daughter's class is taking a trip there tomorrow :)

I think Jane Austen would have peppered her writing with sex if she were writing today. She was forward thinking for her time so I don't think she'd be prudish in this time at all.

Dev said...

I agree with you too, Jennie. Jane would have written with the times ~ not erotica, but most romances have sex peppered in it these days.

~ames~ said...

I agree with you!!

nath said...

Okay, I've never really read Jane Austen's books, but I can be pretty sure she would have add sex scenes. Maybe not something very explicit, but along the lines of NR...

ReneeW said...

I agree with you about Austen and about this book. It was a DNF for me too. I quit reading about the same spot as you. But I thought maybe I wasn't in the right mood for it and have been considering giving it another try sometime. The writing didn't seem to fit Austen's style and I couldn't get into it.

Anonymous said...

y'know what? I think Austen wouldn't have shy off from injecting some real descriptive make-outs, just that she'll make it seem smart and do it tasefully too, probably imbuing the whole scene with romantic tension and intensity, the way all good romances should be written.

Devon said...

I tend to think there might be sex too.

I ended up skimming this book. You were right to stop. The language thing was beyond annoying, the sex grew tedious, and there were some events that really annoyed and confused me later on.